These new contracts form part of the long-term plan to ensure a World Cup performance to match or improve the last one, where Italy reached the quarters for the very first time.
I’ll leave my concerns till after the list.
The Contracted Players:
Ilaria Arrighetti (Stade Rennais, 62 caps)
Alyssa D’Incà (Villorba Rugby, 26 caps)
Giordana Duca (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 52 caps)
Valeria Fedrighi (Rugby Colorno, 58 caps)
Elisa Giordano (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 69 caps)
Francesca Granzotto (Unione Rugby Capitolina, 16 caps) Laura Gurioli (Rugby Villorba, 13 caps)
Isabella Locatelli (Rugby Colorno, 51 caps)
Veronica Madia (Rugby Colorno, 52 caps)
Gaia Maris (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 32 caps)
Aura Muzzo (Villorba Rugby, 49 caps)
Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 37 caps)
Alessia Pilani (Rugby Colorno, 7 caps)
Alissa Ranuccini (Rugby Colorno, 10 caps)
Beatrice Rigoni (Sale Sharks, 79 caps)
Sara Seye (Trailfinders Women, 27 caps)
Francesca Sgorbini (ASM Romagnat Rugby, 28 caps)
Michela Sillari (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 87 caps) Emanuela Stecca (Rugby Villorba, 13 caps)
Sofia Stefan (Sale Sharks, 91 caps)
Emma Stevanin (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 19 caps)
Sara Tounesi (Montpellier Herault Rugby, 43 caps)
Silvia Turani (Harlequins, 37 caps)
Vittoria Vecchini (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 31 caps)
Beatrice Veronese (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 22 caps)
You can argue the current position two ways.
On the one hand, the authorities have done well to instigate this long-term plan. Contracts have now been in place for four years. Women’s rugby has a high priority.
On the other, they should hardly be boasting about extending the number of contracts from 24 to 25. Sure, each one costs a packet of money, but the addition of a single extra player should not be seen as a great turning-point. Had they been able to nominate, say, 30 players, that would indeed have been a matter for huge congratulation. 25 players are only two more than Fabio Roselli needs to nominate for his first outing as head coach, so not much room for manoeuvre.
The sheer number of caps you can see on the list tells its own story. To be frank, it means there is not enough competition coming through from a younger generation. No fewer than nine boast more than 50 caps (Aura Muzzo coming up on the rails); a great tribute to them, but an indication of the lack of options facing the selectors.
Both the two previous head coaches, Andrea di Giandomenico and Nanni Raineri, tried hard to add new blood to their sides, but a glance at the list reveals singularly few unfamiliar faces. Indeed, only Alessia Pilani, the 25-year-old prop, has yet to reach double figures in caps; and only five more have yet to reach 20.
The four newly contracted names are Laura Gurioli, Pilani, Alissa Ranuccini and Emanuela Stecca, and they are precisely the ones with the fewest caps.
This has been my concern for quite a while. The Azzurre possess a small number of outstanding players, but – to my mind – too many others who are not under immediate pressure for their places. I include even Beatrice Rigoni and Sara Stefan in that group. That is what helps to raise standards.
But it’s always intriguing to see a new squad turn out under the tutelage of a new coach.
Next stop, England!
